Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

[Druglord]

So I get my snake that I have been lusting after for a while now and ......BAMM!!..It's not in tune ( I suppose from the shipping ). I proceed for the next hour to cuss and swear and use language that would make a sailor blush trying to tune this noble beast. Finally...in tune! I'll say this for Gibsons .."They may be poorly made pieces of what I left in the toilet this morning, but they are easy to tune." By the way, I hate Gibsons. Had 2, they both sucked! Anyway, spent the next hour makin' sweet love to my snake. I sense a gathering of snakes at my house by year's end. [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[IrfaanSE801]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

I did that the first time I tuned a floyd, but it gets easier once you've done it a few time and know what to do. Enjoy the guitar [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[bonghits]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

Enjoy your snake Druglord! Them "snakes" are just awesome! [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Chad]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

http://www.jcfonline.com/ubbthreads/...&Number=644298

[IrfaanSE801]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

There's a video I have on my computer that a former Jackson dealer did showing how to maintain and tune your floyd. I don't see it available to DL on his site anymore, but if you want I can try e-mailing it to ya

[toejam]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

Changing strings and tuning a Floyd should take like 10 minutes. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[thetruthguy]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

Once you find the right spring tension and the right string guage for you, keep using the same guage strings and it won't be so difficult. Once you've found these things out, when you change strings, put something like a matchbook underneath the back of the Floyd to keep it level when you change strings, and then tighten the strings until they're sort-of in tune. When you remove the matchbook, the Floyd should already be floating, and then it's just a matter of tuning to pitch. Just remember that whenever you change string guages or how you tune, you'll have to adjust the springs in the back. Also, when you're tuning, go in string order over and over again. I'm sure you've found that as you tune one string, others go sharp or flat. Nature of the beast. But go from one string to the next in repitition and you'll find it's a lot easier to get them all to perfect pitch.

[Razor]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

This thread by Sully in the Tech Q&A section helped me a hell of a lot when I was trying to walk before I could crawl! [img]/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img] http://www.jcfonline.com/ubbthreads/...&page=0#242291

Thanks go out to Sully and others who have posted tricks in the Tech Q&A that have bailed my ass out more times than I can remember. [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[mm2002]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

[ QUOTE ]
Changing strings and tuning a Floyd should take like 10 minutes. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

It takes you that long? I can do one in 8.3 minutes... under water, blindfolded, and with one hand tied behind my back. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Death]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

I hope this doesn't sound stupid or anything...but i've been changing my strings on my floyd one by one so the bridge doesn't sink...

so basically,I should stick something under the bridge to keep it level while restringing,then tune up?
also,do you guys stretch your fresh set of strings? usually I gotta tune 5-6 times till my strings are in tune...is thier a certain way to tune up new strings...hope this doesn't sound stupid..i've always pondered this...

[toejam]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Changing strings and tuning a Floyd should take like 10 minutes. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

It takes you that long? I can do one in 8.3 minutes... under water, blindfolded, and with one hand tied behind my back. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
Damn, I'm slow, huh? [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

I change all 6 at once. Loosen them all, letting the trem fall backwards (unless it's non-recessed, then I put a cloth under it unless the finish is already screwed [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] ), and then put the new ones on one at a time and hold or block the trem so it's level.

Then I tighten each one from 6 to 1 over and over as Truthguy said until the bridge is level.

To stretch them (you need to stretch all strings, regardless of bridge), get them all tuned and DON'T lock the nut. Do some pullups on the trem and retune. Keep doing that over and over, as well as traditional bends (I do those at the 12th to 15th frets because it's easier to do 2-step+ bends, which is what you want to do).

Do do divebombs unlocked, or you'll have to start over.

For the longest time, I couldn't grasp the idea of locking tuners AND a locking nut, till I actually set one up that way. The locking tuners are great! Pull the string through tight, lock it in, cut the excess, and tune!
Just make sure you're holding/blocking the bridge level before you lock them, otherwise you'll have wraps around the post, which defeats the purpose of a locking tuner.

[VitaminG]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

[ QUOTE ]
There's a video I have on my computer that a former Jackson dealer did showing how to maintain and tune your floyd. I don't see it available to DL on his site anymore, but if you want I can try e-mailing it to ya

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.eastonguitars.com/WWW/TPS/VIDPGS/VIDPG1.html

[Death]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

[ QUOTE ]
I change all 6 at once. Loosen them all, letting the trem fall backwards (unless it's non-recessed, then I put a cloth under it unless the finish is already screwed [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] ), and then put the new ones on one at a time and hold or block the trem so it's level.

Then I tighten each one from 6 to 1 over and over as Truthguy said until the bridge is level.

To stretch them (you need to stretch all strings, regardless of bridge), get them all tuned and DON'T lock the nut. Do some pullups on the trem and retune. Keep doing that over and over, as well as traditional bends (I do those at the 12th to 15th frets because it's easier to do 2-step+ bends, which is what you want to do).

Do do divebombs unlocked, or you'll have to start over.

For the longest time, I couldn't grasp the idea of locking tuners AND a locking nut, till I actually set one up that way. The locking tuners are great! Pull the string through tight, lock it in, cut the excess, and tune!
Just make sure you're holding/blocking the bridge level before you lock them, otherwise you'll have wraps around the post, which defeats the purpose of a locking tuner.

[/ QUOTE ]

wow!,thanks!,that just solved years of frustrations... [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[xenophobe]

Re: Why is tuning a floyd such a bitch?

Who here can restring a Floyd and get it relatively tuned without even using a tuner until you need to fine tune? lol

*raises hand*

a lot of years of experience will get you to the point to where you can just start adjusting everything till you know the bridge is in the right position, and that all the strings are relatively in tune before plugging into a tuner to get to where you need to be. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]